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| The municipality is bordered by Hebei province and Tianjin municipality and has an area of 6,500 sq mi (16,800 sq km). Lying on a broad plain in northeastern China, the city has been settled since ancient times and has been known by various names. It was called Khanbalik or Cambaluc when it became the royal residence of Kublai Khan in AD 1264 and was visited by Marco Polo. It was chosen as the capital in 1421, which it remained during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911/12). It suffered heavy damage when it was occupied by European forces in 1860 and 1900 (see Boxer Rebellion). In 1928 the capital was moved to Nanjing, and the name Peiping was given to the former capital. |
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